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History of USS Kamehameha SSBN 642

USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642) was a Benjamin Franklin-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned into the United States Navy in 1965. Named after the famed Hawaiian king, she conducted numerous strategic deterrent patrols during the Cold War armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. In 1992, Kamehameha was converted to a SEAL delivery and special operations platform, redesignated as SSN-642, and continued to serve in this capacity until her decommissioning in 2002. Over her 37 years of service, she became one of the longest-serving submarines in U.S. Navy history.

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ABOUT USS Kamehameha SSBN 642

  • Namesake: USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642) was named after King Kamehameha I, the founder and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii, making it the only US Navy ship ever to bear the name.
  • Commissioning: The submarine was commissioned on December 10, 1965, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, with Captain Robert W. Dickieson in command.
  • Poseidon Missile Upgrade: Originally equipped with Polaris missiles, Kamehameha was later converted to carry the more advanced Poseidon C3 ballistic missiles during the 1970s.
  • Longest-Serving Ballistic Missile Submarine: At the time of her decommissioning in 2002, Kamehameha was the oldest operational fleet ballistic missile submarine in the US Navy, serving nearly 37 years.
  • Special Operations Conversion: In 1992, Kamehameha was converted from a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) to an attack and special operations submarine (SSN-642), including the addition of Dry Deck Shelters for special forces.
  • Dual Crewing: Like other ballistic missile submarines, she operated with alternating Blue and Gold crews to maximize operational availability during the Cold War deterrence patrols.
  • Hawaiian Heritage: The ship’s crew embraced Hawaiian traditions, including a large wooden statue of King Kamehameha on board, and special Hawaiian-themed ceremonies and memorabilia.
  • Service Record: USS Kamehameha completed more than 60 strategic deterrent patrols during her SSBN career, contributing significantly to US nuclear deterrence throughout the Cold War.
  • Hollywood Appearance: The submarine made a brief appearance in the 1989 film "The Hunt for Red October," where footage of her underway was used to represent a Soviet submarine.
  • Final Fate: After decommissioning on April 2, 2002, the ship was scrapped as part of the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and her sail is preserved as a memorial in Hawaii.

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